The recent rain has left behind one of the wettest Februarys on record.

“That, combined with the cold temps has really exacerbated the pothole problem,” said Schulte.

The patches used, cold rather than hot mix asphalt, has presented a problem.

Schulte said the plant holding the hot mix doesn’t open until the middle of the month.

“Been having to just use cold mix to make those repairs and cold mix is really just a temporary band-aid. The permanent repairs won’t happen until we start the resurfacing and using the hot mix,” she said.

So far, TDOT used an average of 14 tons of patching material a day in the last two weeks, taking up about 60-percent of its pothole budget.

“This year certainly worse than last year,” she said.

Schulte said TDOT will continue patching the major problems along the interstate this weekend, with dedicated crews on I-440.

Until then, Schulte said drivers will have to do their best to avoid the potholes.

“If you slow down your speed, you can keep your car from a fair amount of damage,” said Schulte.